Connecticut western news., 1887-06-15
A BACHELORS REV ARD,
BY GEORGE TRACE.

It was cold January day. John Steele sat alone in his office, in the midst of deep reverie.
 It was seldom that he was idle, as he was at the present time, but this evening the memories of the past came aocking upon him like ghosts from another land.
 John Steele was bachelor of forty. He had been born and reared poor boy, in the little town of NJ, and had never felt desire to leave it. He had studied law and plodded along year after year in the dingy, grimy office, in which we find him now, and had grown rich. He had no l ersonal friends, and lived alone in large, old frame house at the outskirts of the town, with a man ser want as cook and general man. of-all work.
 Years and years before, when q young man of twenty, poor and aimless, Steele had loved girl whose parents would not let her marry him because he was so worthless. In his rage he blamed her for this and would listen to no reason, and from that day had hated women and had led solitary life. It was this scene that now held John Steele in his office chair, as the mantle of night gathered over the town.
 'More than twenty years ago." he  unused, 'tand don't believe l have ever spoken to woman, except on business, since that day. They say she married mo- account wretch after all, who has sunk down to poverty and want. We'll, we'll, I must not waste time thinking about such things now. l was only a boy then, and did not know what wanted. I must be going" Where upon he arose, buttoned his coat about him, locked his office and trudged on his homeward journey.
 Rumor had it about town that, al- though by her parents influence, Katie Drew had married shortly after her re- lusal of Steele, that she had loved him dearly. This was most likely true, but as twenty years had past, the matter had faded from the general mind to give way to more lively gossip.
 Steele ate his supper in silence. Will liam, bis man. of- all-work had very good meal prepared; for, though Steele was close-isted he believed in good eat ing, good clothes and comforta ble liv. ing.
 'Now, William" said Steele, when he had finished, eff you fix me ur enough food to do me tomorrow, you may have holiday. And here is youl money ard five dollars to have a time with. No holiday for me; I don't need any and don't want any"
 "Thank you, MT. Steele, for youl goodness" said William. ''But, Mir. Steele, don't you never take any littlt extra pleasure at all2 You know used to know you when you was a littlt fellow; and can remember seeing youl good mother holding you up at the ole church so you could see the Christmas tree. And you was wee little tao then, and you clapped your little hand in glee and your mother would kiss you baby face and talk baby talk to you. l don't seem like that was near forty year ago, Mir. Steele, but it was." "Confound the fellow," grumblct Steele, as he sat down in his room tha night to read. eff I should listen t, him he would upset mo. don't knoy what is the matter with me this evenin! anyhow. never felt so queer in m, life. Iguess am using too much to bacco of late."
 He read until bedtime, and was in tn act of taking off his boots, when h heard a knock at the front door.
 "Wonder who that is" he thought Something unusual at this place."
 He listened moment and there cam another knock.
 "What the deuce can that William b doing that he don't go the door7' sai Steele. 'I want to go to bed,. and may be some one that wants :, me. T borrow money, guess. We'll, unles they have good security, not cent d they get"
 | At this juncture, William opened tn door. Steele heard an inostinct COT versation and then William conducte the visitor to the kitchen. After som moments William came walking into th room.
 'Well, what is it2"
 Excuse me, Mir. Steele, but there a poor woman in the kitchen who need some help badly. Pm sure she does, f' she don't look as common begga She says sho has walked through u cold all tho way from the last town, an is most dead"
 "Yes, that is what they all sa. Give her something to eat and send h. on."
 "But wish you would come and g, her." Bpther these beggars," humble Steele. But guess pll go down get rid of her."
 Steele saw black figure sitting by u